as in economical
careful in the management of money or resources
by being frugal, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in economy
careful management of material resources
her lifelong frugality has enabled her to save enough money to go to college next year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frugal
New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
So any such tariffs threatened to send Christmas tree prices much higher in a year in which American consumers have shown themselves to be cautious and frugal.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025
R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Ken’yaku, a commitment to frugality, is detectable in a corporate culture that frowns on perks or frills.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frugal
Adjective
Or perhaps an innovative yet frugal Chinese brand?
—New Atlas, 24 Nov. 2025
So any such tariffs threatened to send Christmas tree prices much higher in a year in which American consumers have shown themselves to be cautious and frugal.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025
Noun
The company cites a rise in frugality triggered by an uncertain economy, and the return to restoring vintage furniture and decor.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Ken’yaku, a commitment to frugality, is detectable in a corporate culture that frowns on perks or frills.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frugal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frugal
Adjective
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The Sisterbird birdhouse two-pack is an economical option for native North Texas bird species.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
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One economical approach is to get one humidifier for the room with the most plants in it, and move any other plants prone to dryness into the room for the winter months, if feasible.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As India opened its economy to the world in the 1990s, Khan opened its heart.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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The model applies circular economy principles—reduce, reuse, and recycle—to chart a more sustainable path for China’s sand and gravel industry.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.—
Andrea Flores
Jan. 8,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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The concealer is available in 24 shades, with savings of up to 58 percent.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Not only is saving Parmesan rinds a thrifty move, but cooking with them is an easy way to inject flavor into so many of your favorite dishes.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
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David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Darden Restaurants on Thursday reported strong sales growth, fueled by demand at Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse as thrifty diners look for good deals.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Shoes & Accessories Landsberg says that items like shoes and accessories must pass their thrift store's standard of cleanliness before they're put out in the store.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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This particular thrift purchase wasn’t about profit, though.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Two of them are falsifiability and parsimony.—
Calum Lister Matheson,
The Conversation,
14 Nov. 2025
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No act of parsimony shrinks the size of government either.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frugal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frugal. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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